Models of Conflict and Cooperation

Models of Conflict and Cooperation is a comprehensive, introductory, game theory text for general undergraduate students. As a textbook, it provides a new and distinctive experience for students working to become quantitatively literate. Each chapter begins with a ``dialogue'' that models quantitative discourse while previewing the topics presented in the rest of the chapter. Subsequent sections develop the key ideas starting with basic models and ending with deep concepts and results. Throughout all of the sections, attention is given to promoting student engagement with the material through relevant models, recommended activities, and exercises. The general game models that are discussed include deterministic, strategic, sequential, bargaining, coalition, and fair division games. A separate, essential chapter discusses player preferences. All of the chapters are designed to strengthen the fundamental mathematical skills of quantitative literacy: logical reasoning, basic algebra and probability skills, geometric reasoning, and problem solving. A distinctive feature of this book is its emphasis on the process of mathematical modeling.

Gillman and Houseman have provided a well-written and much needed text to introduce a wider class of students to the application of mathematics to the world of social interactions. ---- Mathematical Reviews